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DISCOBIOL Project

ITOPF is a partner in a joint research project on dispersants, entitled ‘DISCOBIOL’, under the leadership of the French association CEDRE (Centre of Documentation, Research and Experimentation on Accidental Water Pollution).  The aim of the project is to provide decision-makers with information on the net environmental benefit of using dispersants in near-shore areas and involves assessing the toxicity and impacts of dispersed oils on different habitats and resources found in coastal and estuarine environments of temperate climates.

The use of dispersants can be a very effective response to an oil spill.  When dispersants are used offshore the depth and flow of water allow for rapid dilution so that concentrations of dispersed oil quickly reduce to levels that do not generally give rise to significant harm to the environment.   However, in many countries, if an oil spill occurs close to the coast, limits are imposed on the use of dispersants because of concerns that the shallow waters will not allow for sufficient dilution of dispersed oil subsequently leading to adverse effects.  Nevertheless, in certain circumstances, the need to protect highly sensitive coastal resources may warrant consideration of dispersants in near-shore waters, especially if biodegradation of the dispersed oil is likely to occur.

This project is due to conclude at the end of 2012, but most of the experimental work has already finished.  Preliminary results of the research into short term toxicity showed that for the organisms tested (species found in coastal and estuarine areas), the lethal concentration of dispersed oil is far higher than concentrations of chemically dispersed oil typically found in the water column during actual oil spills.  The sub-lethal effects of dispersed oil were assessed over a two week period by monitoring a series of ‘bio-markers’ (biological measures used to assess health), the results of which indicate that the impacts of oil intoxication are reversible for the vast majority of the test organisms, at least according to the bio-markers studied.  While these preliminary results may suggest that dispersants could be considered for use in near-shore waters, the results from all the experiments will need to be analysed before any final project conclusions are made.

28th November 2011

 

ITOPF Holds Seminar on New Pollution Regulations in PR China

Beijing seminar

ITOPF held an afternoon seminar on shipping and the new pollution regulations in PR China in Beijing on Wednesday 16th November. The seminar offered a packed programme of speakers and attracted over 100 attendees, comprising a mixture of Chinese government representatives, Chinese and international shipowners, shipping industry bodies, Chinese oil spill clean-up contractors, P&I Club representatives, lawyers and others.

The seminar provided an excellent opportunity for those involved in all aspects of marine spill response to familiarise themselves with the practicalities of implementing the new regulations, in particular the requirements  placed on shipowners to enter into agreements with oil spill clean-up contractors prior to entering Chinese ports. The Chinese government requires these agreements to be in place by 1st January 2012.  Amongst the presenters were representatives from the Chinese Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) who provided an update on the current situation.  ITOPF held a drinks reception after the seminar, where shipowners and their insurers were able to meet with a number of oil spill contractors to exchange ideas and to understand each others’ requirements under the new legislation. 

Copies of the presentations are available on our publications page at http://www.itopf.com/information-services/publications/papers/BeijingSeminar.html.

18th November 2011

 

Memorandum of Understanding between the International Group of Protection and Indemnity (P&I) Clubs and the US Department of the Interior (DOI)

Representatives of the International Group of P&I Clubs (IGP&I) and the US Department of the Interior (DOI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Washington, DC on 1st November 2011. The purpose of the agreement is to promote co-operation, both in terms of preparedness activities and post-spill impact assessment as required for ship-related OPA 90 incidents. The MoU is not limited in its duration and is valid for incidents occurring in the EEZ of the United States and its territories.

The U.S. Department of the Interior (http://www.doi.gov/) is a Federal Trustee under the provisions of the United States Oil Pollution Act 1990 (OPA90). The Department maintains a Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration (NRDAR) Program which co-ordinates the injury assessment and restoration of the various natural and cultural resources managed by the six DOI Bureaus. The many and varied trustee resources over which DOI has responsibility and authority include hundreds of millions of acres of public and Indian lands, a great variety of natural wildlife refuges and national parks, migratory birds, anadromous fish, certain marine mammals and most threatened and endangered species.

The International Group of P&I Clubs (http://www.igpandi.org) provides third party liability coverage for more than 90% of the world shipping fleet, including more than 95% of the ocean-going tanker fleet. This P&I insurance arrangement is based on the individual Clubs (the ship-owners’ third party liability insurers) and a pooling arrangement between thirteen members of the International Group for major claims. Although not a signatory to the MoU, ITOPF is a key player in the co-operative arrangements foreseen in the technical paragraphs of the agreement. As is true for a similar MOU with the US National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) , ITOPF’s role as outlined in the agreement is to assist in the sharing of relevant technical information and the undertaking of relevant joint studies during the technical assessment and restoration planning process. It is to be anticipated that ITOPF’s participation will facilitate the co-operative approach and minimise delays in implementing restoration projects.

The signing ceremony, held at DOI’s Washington DC headquarters, provided a good opportunity for representatives of various DOI Bureaus and Offices as well as other government agencies, environmental contractors, vessel insurers and ITOPF to meet and give technical presentations on their respective roles and responsibilities.

Colin Williams of Steamship Mutual and Lori Faeth of the Department of the Interior signing the MoU

11 November 2011

 

New edition of Ocean Orbit available

Ocean orbit 11ITOPF has just published a new edition of its newsletter Ocean Orbit.  This year’s issue features three incidents – the OLIVA, GODAFOSS and MSC CHITRA – that due to their location, environment or cargo were particularly challenging for our technical staff and the response effort as a whole.  The newsletter also looks at the impact of ship groundings on coral reefs and the restoration techniques commonly used, highlighting ITOPF’s role in damage and claims assessment, and reports on some R&D initiatives ITOPF is supporting to enhance “best practice” in spill response.

Copies of the newsletter are available free from ITOPF (contact Terry Goodchild) or can be downloaded in PDF format from the Publications page of our website. 

If you would like to join the Ocean Orbit mailing list, please email Terry Goodchild, indicating your preference for an electronic or printed version or both.

4th October 2011

 

ITOPF R&D Award

R and D Award flyerA new R&D initiative, funded by the world’s shipowners and their P&I insurers, has been launched by ITOPF. The ITOPF R&D Award will provide some £50,000 each year to encourage innovative thinking and provide realistic solutions to some of the challenges faced when responding to accidental oil and chemical spills and undertaking environmental monitoring. The ITOPF R&D Award is available to any organisation or R&D establishment worldwide and will fund students from all academic disciplines, but particularly those with an applied scientific focus. Proposals will be evaluated by the ITOPF R&D Committee, comprised of objective scientists with a wealth of experience in maritime and environmental issues and a keen focus on developing young talent in these areas. The initiative is welcomed enthusiastically by the IMO, which has kindly provided staff from its Marine Environment Division to sit on the R&D Committee. The first applications for the ITOPF R&D Award are invited for the 31st December deadline.  Further details are available below.

View R&D_Award (PDF 308KB), ITOPF_R&D_Award_Applicant_Instructions (PDF 48KB) and ITOPF_R&D_Award_Application_Form (WORD 48KB) 

3rd Octoberr 2011

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ITOPF Seminar & Reception in China - Wednesday 16th November 2011

ITOPF will be holding an afternoon seminar on Wednesday 16th November 2011 at the Grand Hyatt Beijing hotel. The seminar is free of charge and will provide an opportunity for those involved in all aspects of marine spill response to familiarise themselves with the new pollution regulations in the P.R. China. The seminar will be followed by a drinks reception.

A copy of the seminar programme and a booking form are provided below.  Whilst there is no charge to attend the seminar, numbers are limited, so to secure your place, please complete the booking form and send it to Ms Terry Goodchild (terrygoodchild@itopf.com) as early as possible.  If you know of others who you think would benefit from attendance at the seminar, please feel free to circulate the details.

View Beijing_Seminar_Programme (PDF 533KB) and Booking_Form (Word 1260KB)

27th September 2011

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2011 Annual Review Just Published

Annual Review front coverITOPF has just published its Annual Review for the year ending 20 February 2011.

In the Review, ITOPF’s Chairman, Bjorn Moller, reflects on a year in which the DEEPWATER HORIZON drilling rig explosion turned the spotlight once again to oil spills. As stricter legislation is being sought, the shipping industry has found itself having to remind regulators of its own improving safety trends, its preparedness to deal with oil spills and the appropriateness of compensation limits that apply to shipping.

While much attention has been given to the negative consequences of the spill in the Gulf of Mexico, Mr Moller notes how this serious event has, nonetheless, inspired innovative thinking and produced a multitude of new ideas for responding to oil spills at depth and far from shore. R&D also remains a high priority for ITOPF and, as outlined in our Strategic Plan 2011-2015, we are geared towards expanding knowledge on the fate and effects of oil and chemical spills in the marine environment, as well as on techniques available to respond to spills, especially in remote or ice-covered waters.

Download the Annual Review in PDF format (835Kb) or browse through the pages using our interactive page turner here.

16th August 2011

 

Technical Adviser Vacancy - FILLED

ITOPF is seeking a new Technical Adviser to join its small London-based team.

MARINE POLLUTION ADVISER

An international, non-profit organisation involved in all aspects of combating oil and chemical spills in the marine environment is seeking a new Technical Adviser to join its small London-based team. ITOPF’s work is varied and challenging. It involves giving advice world-wide on the most effective methods for responding to oil and chemical spills from ships, minimising their impact on economic resources and the environment, and the provision of compensation. Further details of ITOPF’s activities can be found on the web site at www.itopf.com

Candidates should possess a first degree or higher in a scientific, engineering or related discipline. Relevant practical experience of pollution control, and/or the effects of pollution on marine resources are desirable. The successful candidate must be willing to travel extensively, often at short notice, and be able to work under pressure. Good written and oral presentation skills, strong interpersonal skills and computer literacy are all vital. Fluency in a language, in addition to English, would be a considerable advantage.

Starting salary will be commensurate with experience and include a generous benefits package.

If you feel you meet the above criteria and would like further details and an application form, please contact:

Carol Remnant,

ITOPF Limited, 1 Oliver’s Yard, 55 City Road, London EC1Y 1HQ

Tel: +44 (0)20 7566 6999 Fax: +44 (0)20 7566 6950

email: carolremnant@itopf.com

27 July 2011

 

ITOPF Signs Co-operation Agreement with the IMO

Mr J.O. Espinoza-Ferrey, Director, Marine Environmental Division, IMO and Dr Karen Purnell, Managing Director, ITOPF sign the Letter of Agreement formalising the long-standing co-operation between the two organisations.

In recognition of the long-standing cooperative relationship that exists between the IMO and ITOPF, a Letter of Agreement (LoA) has been signed by the Director of the Marine Environment Division and ITOPF’s Managing Director. This Agreement is intended to provide a framework of cooperation, enabling both organisations to attain their common objectives of:

  • Supporting the ratification and implementation of key conventions relating to oil and HNS preparedness and response;
  • Promoting the establishment, implementation and sustainability of national, regional and international cooperative mechanisms of responding effectively to spills.

This Agreement recognises the pre-eminence of ITOPF as the expert pollution response organisation established on behalf of the world’s shipowners to promote effective response to marine spills of oil, chemicals and other hazardous substances. It acknowledges the support and technical expertise that ITOPF has provided to the IMO (under the umbrella of its Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP)) for its various conferences, training courses, seminars and workshops and credits the shipping industry for enabling this support. ITOPF looks forward to continuing to work with the IMO to assist Member States in building capacity, improving national and regional pollution preparedness and in implementing the provisions of IMO’s Conventions. 19th May 2011

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ITOPF Designated as Visiting Professor at the World Maritime University

 

ITOPF is pleased to announce its acceptance of the appointment of Visiting Professor at the World Maritime University (WMU), effective from April 2011. The appointment, initially for a five-year period, recognises the vital and extraordinary teaching contribution that ITOPF offers to students of the Masters of Science in Maritime Affairs programme, particularly the Maritime Safety and Environmental Administration Specialization (MSEA). Many of the WMU’s graduates from developing countries subsequently take up senior positions in their government administrations. The foundation that is provided by the WMU’s teaching programme ensures that these graduates are fully aware of the IMO’s regulatory framework for shipping and, thereby, able to further its aims and objectives. ITOPF will contribute to the lecturing programme of the WMU by sharing its extensive practical knowledge of the fate and behaviour of oil in the marine environment and illustrate best practice in responding to spills using case studies. Alex Hunt will be the first visiting professor under this new appointment. We look forward to supporting the WMU in this way. 21st April 2011

 

New Edition of ITOPF Handbook Now Available

ITOPF HandbookThe 2011/2012 edition of the ITOPF Handbook has just been published. The Handbook contains a wealth of valuable information and guidance for those likely to be involved in spills of oil and chemicals from ships. This year’s edition contains updated information on oil spill statistics, compensation and a revised table on the classification of oils. Information is also provided on  ITOPF’s technical and information services, the fate and effects of marine oil spills, clean-up techniques, the organisation of spill response and planning, the status of international conventions and ITOPF publications.

Download the full version in PDF format (3.41Mb)

Hard copies of the Handbook are also available.  They are free to ITOPF Members and Associates, as well as to closely related groups. Single copies are also available to others on request - contact Terry Goodchild. 17 March 2011

 

ITOPF Tanker Spill Statistics 2010

 

Number of large spills (over 700 tonnes) from 1970 to 2010

ITOPF has just published its Oil Tanker Spill Statistics for 2010. This shows a steady low level of recorded spills, following-on from more recent years.

ITOPF maintains a database of oil spills from tankers, combined carriers and barges. This contains information on accidental spillages since 1970, except those resulting from acts of war. The data held includes the type of oil spilt, the spill amount, the cause and location of the incident and the vessel involved. For historical reasons, spills are generally categorised by size, small (<7 tonnes or <50 bbls), medium (7-700 tonnes or 50-5,000 bbls) and large (>700 tonnes or >5,000 bbls), although the actual amount spilt is also recorded. Information is now held on nearly 10,000 incidents, the vast majority of which (81%) fall into the smallest category i.e. <7 tonnes.

For 2010, four large spills were recorded. Although an increase on the figures for 2008 and 2009, this represents a minor deviation from the average of 3.3 spills per year in the previous decade (2000-2009) as a whole. Four medium spills were also recorded in 2010, representing the lowest annual figure recorded for this category. The total of all spills over 7 tonnes for 2010 shows no change against 2009 and is a significant reduction compared to the average for the previous decade.

Similarly, the total amount of oil lost to the environment in 2010 shows an increase against figures for of 2008 and 2009 but is significantly lower than the average of oil lost in previous decades. Furthermore, at 10,000 tonnes spilt, this is the fourth lowest annually recorded figure. 

Whilst tanker traffic continues to exhibit an overall increase in terms of tonne-miles, it is encouraging to observe that the overall downward trend in oil spills continues.

Further details on the number and quantity of spills from tanker accidents since 1970, together with figures and tables are available on the statistics page of our website and in our annual statistics package.

3rd March 2011

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